San Francisco Archbishop responds to Pope's acceptance of gay community

By Bay City News Service

Posted:
07/31/2013 06:54:14 AM PDT

Updated:
07/31/2013 06:54:16 AM PDT

After Pope Francis made comments Monday about accepting gay people, the archbishop of San Francisco responded, praising the leader of the Catholic Church but reinforcing his views on traditional marriage.

The pope, 76, held an impromptu news conference with reporters on a plane heading back to Rome from Brazil.

Referring to people who identify as part of the LGBT community, he said "If they accept the Lord and have goodwill, who am I to judge them?"

He went on, stating, "They shouldn't be marginalized. The tendency...is not the problem."

The Archbishop of San Francisco Salvatore Cordileone issued a statement commending the pope for "reiterating the Church's love and welcome to all people, especially those who experience same-sex attraction."

Cordileone said the church does not judge individuals, but does judge actions.

The archbishop went on to state "with regards to sexual acts, the Church has always faithfully taught, and always will...that they find their proper order and purpose within the marital union of husband and wife."